International criminal back behind bars

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Brian James Waite - back behind bars after spending seven years on the run

A Leeds criminal who sparked an international search after he absconded from prison will face more than nine years behind bars. Brian James Waite pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody and 8 counts of fraud and deception relating to Passport offences.

He had been on the run for seven years after escaping from North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire. Waite was three years into an 11-year sentence for stealing £25,000 from a Securicor van in Cardiff when he absconded.

Following his escape he used false passports in six different identities to travel across the world, visiting countries such as China, Columbia, Senegal and The Netherlands. Appeals were made on Crimewatch to catch him and he was eventually arrested in Lewisham last year.

"This sentence will see Waite spend the next 9 years behind bars. His arrest and conviction follows tireless detective work following up on information from numerous media appeals, including featuring on the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their assistance and send the strong message to criminals that no one can escape justice. "